Shot Newark Car Thief Identified as Homeless Man

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The man shot in the head by a Newark police officer while trying to flee in a stolen vehicle Monday has been identified as 44-year-old Adrian Facto, a homeless man who was living in a shelter in Newark.

Facto remains in critical condition at University Hospital.

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Police encountered Facto while investigating a vehicle stolen from a Jersey City shopping center Sunday, according to DeMaio. Officers had tracked down the stolen vehicle through a security tracking device.

A veteran officer tried to stop Facto but he tried to flee, authorities said. Facto ended up driving onto the sidewalk and hitting a 32-year-old female pedestrian, dragging her.

The officer fired at Facto, hitting him in the head.

Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio supported the police officer's actions, saying in a prepared statement Monday: "Had it not been for the officer's quick response, the woman could have been killed. The 17-year veteran officer was not hurt but saved the pedestrian's life. I commend the officer for his heroic actions."